This grape salad with cream cheese is perfect for any occasion! Plump, juicy grapes folded into a cool, creamy mixture of cream cheese and sour cream, all topped off with dark brown sugar and crunchy toasted pecans...
Grape Salad With Cream Cheese
This creamy grape salad has been gracing tables at potlucks, cookouts, and baby showers alike for as long as I can remember. In each case, the result is always the same - an empty bowl that has been completely scraped clean. That's how good this stuff is!
It's easy to see why... I mean, how do you go wrong with plump, juicy grapes folded into a cool, creamy mixture of cream cheese and sour cream, all topped off with dark brown sugar and crunchy toasted pecans? Correct answer - YOU CAN'T.
How To Pick The Best Grapes
As with all simple recipes like this, start with the freshest ingredients you can find for best results.
Want to know a trick for picking the best bunch of grapes? Inspect the vines! If they're still green and pliable, you can bet the grapes were picked recently. If they're dried out and turning brown, dig through the pile for a different bunch.
For this grape salad, I like to use a combination of red and green grapes for visual appeal. You'll need about two pounds of each variety.
Grapes are on the Dirty Dozen list, so you'll want to wash them really well after removing them from the vines. Or you could always consider purchasing organic grapes - though you'll still want to wash them!
Be sure to dry them thoroughly before proceeding with the recipe.
How To Make Grape Salad
To make the "sauce", simply cream together equal parts softened cream cheese and sour cream, along with a half cup of sugar and a teaspoon of pure vanilla extract.
Pour this mixture over the grapes, and fold everything together well. Refrigerate for at least two hours, and then we'll add the brown sugar pecan topping.
While the grape salad is chilling, it's a good idea to go ahead and toast your chopped pecans so they have time to cool down. Once they're cooled, mix them with the brown sugar with a fork. When you're ready to serve the grape salad, top it off with the brown sugar/toasted pecans mixture.
I know what you're thinking - that's a LOT of sugar between the sauce and the topping... But everything in moderation, right?! It's not like we're eating this on an everyday basis. That's not saying I wouldn't if I thought I'd still be able to fit into my skinny jeans, though!
Individual Grape Salad Cups
For a large gathering, I typically just spread the grape salad out in a 9x13" dish to maximize the salad to topping ratio. But since I was making it for a baby shower today, I thought it would be fun to make individual grape salad cups.
So I just spooned the grape salad into individual bowls, and then sprinkled the topping over each one. Are they cute or what?
Printable Recipe ↓
Grape Salad With Cream Cheese
Ingredients
- 2 pounds seedless green grapes
- 2 pounds seedless red grapes
- 1 (8-ounce) block cream cheese, softened
- 1 (8-ounce) container sour cream
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- ½ cup roasted pecans, chopped
- ½ cup dark brown sugar, packed
Instructions
- Wash the grapes well and dry them thoroughly.
- Cream together the softened cream cheese, sour cream, sugar and vanilla until smooth. Fold the grapes into this mixture, spread it out in a 9x13" baking dish, and refrigerate for at least two hours.
- Mix together the toasted pecans and the dark brown sugar with a fork. Sprinkle this topping over the grape salad just before serving.
More Favorite Potluck Salad Recipes
If you like this creamy grape salad recipe, you might also enjoy these other delicious potluck salad recipes:
- Pea Salad - This totally easy pea salad recipe is filled with sweet peas, crispy bacon, roasted peanuts (so good!), chopped celery, and diced red onion, all dressed in a sweet and tangy sour cream/mayo dressing.
- Orzo Pasta Salad - Gorgeous red and yellow cherry tomatoes, bright parsley, and vibrant basil, along with a dose of fresh lemon zest and juice marry together with orzo pasta to make the perfect side dish to share at your next gathering.
- Hot German Potato Salad - Guests will flip for the tangy coarse Dijon apple cider vinegar dressing, along with the crispy fried bacon bits in this yummy German potato salad.
- Broccoli Slaw with Ramen Noodles - this is my favorite broccoli ramen noodle salad, light and flavorful with a touch of added sweetness.
Did you make this recipe?
I'd love to see how your grape salad turns out... Tag me @Unsophisticook on Instagram or use the hashtag #Unsophisticook so I can check it out. Enjoy!
Angie | Big Bear's Wife says
I'm totally getting Thomas to make this for me this week!!! (I'm still recovery haha so no kitchen time for me right now) but man oh man does that looks good!! Thank you so much for being a party of my virtual baby shower to celebrate Baby Jackson!!!
Carlee says
What a perfect salad for a shower! That looks so delicious and I can't wait for an excuse to make some!
Natalie J Vandenberghe says
Your recipe sounds delicious--thanks for sharing.
Liz says
YUM! Perfect for picnics, summer parties, holidays and even for a baby shower! The grapes have been fabulous lately and can't wait to try this.
Natalie J Vandenberghe says
Your recipe sounds delicious--thanks for sharing.
patti bell says
I make this same salad and we love it. But I only use 2 Tablespoons of brown sugar mixed with the nuts.